Standard Plaza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Standard Plaza |
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| General information | |
| Type | Offices |
| Location | 1100 SW 6th Avenue Portland, Oregon, USA |
| Coordinates | 45°30′58″N 122°40′47″W / 45.516°N 122.6796°W |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Owner | StanCorp Financial Group. |
| Height | |
| Roof | 222 ft (68 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 16 |
| Floor area | 217,000 sq ft (20,200 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Skidmore, Owings and Merrill |
| Main contractor | Andersen - Westfall |
The Standard Plaza is a tall office building in downtown Portland, Oregon. It has 16 floors and stands 222 feet (68 m) high. When it was finished in 1963, it was the biggest office building in Oregon.
This large building covers a whole city block on SW 6th Avenue. It is owned by the Standard Insurance Company. The same company also owns the Standard Insurance Center next door. The famous architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed the building. They used a style called the international style.
Contents
Building History: How Standard Plaza Was Built
Starting Construction in the 1960s
Work on the Standard Plaza began in 1961. A company called Andersen–Westfall won the job to build it. They planned to build the new headquarters for Standard Insurance. The project was expected to cost about $8.3 million.
By January 1962, the building's main structure had already reached four stories high. Builders thought the project would be finished by March 1963.
Work Pauses and Challenges
During construction, there were a few times when work had to stop. In April 1962, a strike by the Carpenters Union paused the project. A few months later, in June 1962, another strike by the Iron Workers Union also stopped work. These strikes were part of bigger disagreements between the unions and construction companies.
Even with these delays, the Standard Plaza was still a very important building. By late 1962, people expected it to be the second-tallest building in Portland. Only the Hilton Portland Hotel would be taller.
Opening Day and First Tenants
The Standard Plaza officially opened in June 1963. The final cost to build it was $8.5 million. When it opened, it was indeed the largest office building in Oregon.
Many different businesses moved into the building. Some of the first tenants included Dean Witter & Co. and First National Bank of Oregon. Several law firms also chose to move in. They liked the building's location because it was close to the federal and county courthouses.
Modern Upgrades and Green Building Efforts
Years later, the Standard Plaza received a special award in 2009. It earned a gold rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This award means the building is very energy-efficient and good for the environment. They made upgrades like using more energy-saving equipment and water-saving fixtures.
In 2012, the building added three charging stations for electric vehicles in its parking garage. This helps people who drive electric cars. In December 2014, a strong windstorm caused a small accident. A piece of metal from the nearby PacWest Center blew off and broke a window at the Standard Plaza.
Building Features: What Makes Standard Plaza Special?
Design and Materials
The architects from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed this 222-foot (68 m) tall building. They used the international style, which often features clean lines and simple shapes. The outside of the 16-story building is made of aluminum and glass. Its main structure uses steel and concrete.
The building also has a parking garage. This garage can hold 265 cars, which is very helpful for people working there.
The Famous Weather Beacon
One of the most interesting parts of the Standard Plaza is its weather beacon. This beacon is a 50-foot-tall (15 m) light display on top of the building. With the beacon, the building's total height is 275 feet (84 m).
The beacon helps people know what the weather will be like. It changes colors based on the temperature forecast:
- If the light glows red, the temperature is expected to go up by 5 degrees or more.
- If it glows green, the temperature will stay within 5 degrees of what it is now.
- If it glows white, the temperature is expected to drop by 5 degrees or more.
The beacon also shows if it will rain or be dry:
- Flashing lights mean rain or other precipitation is expected.
- Steady lights mean dry weather is ahead.
Location and Nearby Landmarks
The Standard Plaza is located right in the heart of downtown Portland. It sits between southwest Fifth and Sixth avenues, and Main and Madison streets.
Many other important buildings are close by. The PacWest Center is to the south, and the Solomon Federal Courthouse is to the west. To the east, you can see the unique Portland Building. From inside the Standard Plaza, you can get one of the best clear views of the Portlandia sculpture, which is on the Portland Building.
